SNP’s Dr Lisa Cameron is Lesmahagow’s new MP

Ross Thomson

THE people of Lesmahagow, East Kilbride and Strathaven have called for a doctor - in the shape of new SNP MP Lisa Cameron.

The consultant, who has worked in the NHS for more than 20 years, defeated Labour’s Michael McCann in convincing fashion polling over 33,000 votes turning over a 14,500 majority and giving herself a healthy 16,500 majority.

However, with the result in this election it appears that healthy majorities mean nothing to the Scottish electorate.

A simple look on social media reminded this reporter of watching the BBC News before Match of the Day starts - if you were not a SNP supporter then you should have looked away now.

In truth the result was never in doubt with glum Labour activists giving the game up long before the result was made official and Mr McCann himself conceding defeat just after 1am and promptly deleting his official Twitter account.

Dr Cameron said: “We ran a positive campaign, we covered every area thoroughly and we spoke to thousands and thousands of people.

“It was also a great learning curve for me. People on the doorstep were absolutely wonderful and very encouraging and they seemed pleased that I was not a career politician having worked in the NHS for two decades.

“People want to be able to identify with their local MP. People want to see a strong Scottish voice in Westminster and that’s exactly what we are looking to achieve.

“It’s an unbelievable feeling to think that the people of this constituency where I grew up and lived all my life have put their faith in me.”

Mr McCann, for his part, declined to be interviewed by all other local and national media but he did speak candidly to the Gazette about his campaign.

He said: “I think that we offered the public the best manifesto of all the parties but the people have spoken.

“I would like to wish my successor all the very best. It’s a tough job and she will find that out but good luck to her.

“Locally our campaign went very well and I am disappointed for all the Labour activists who have trudged through the wind, rain and snow over the past few weeks.

“All the figures show that we are going to have a Tory Government who are going to put their planned cuts into action which are going to cause a lot of damage for people living in this constituency.”

The Conservatives’ Graeme Simpson polled 7,129 votes coming in third with the Lib Dems Paul McGarry winning just over 1,000.